Olympic Highlights

IOC ACTIVITIES

PrEsident

IOC President Thomas Bach hosted the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein. The President underlined the IOC’s work on protecting human rights in the context of organising the Olympic Games and renewed the IOC’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to make progress in this approach. The two men agreed to establish a permanent contact between the two organisations and to meet on a regular basis.

University of St. Gallen / Hannes Thalmann

President Bach took part in a debate with students and 250 guests at the University of St Gallen (Switzerland). At the invitation of the University’s Sports Department, the President spoke about the role of the IOC and the Olympic Movement in society today as well as the changes Olympic Agenda 2020 has brought to the Olympic Games and Olympic Movement.

IOC / Christophe Moratal

The IOC President welcomed the newly elected President of the International Cycling Union (UCI), David Lappartient. The two leaders spoke about the cooperation between the IOC and UCI on various issues of common interest. They also discussed the UCI’s cooperation in the Independent Testing Authority (ITA).

With IOC Member Ivo Ferriani, who is also President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), the discussions focused mainly on the preparations for the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.

IOC / Christophe Moratal

Nicaraguan NOC President Emmett Lang Salmerón visited the IOC President, with whom he spoke about the NOC’s current situation and the preparations for the next editions of the Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games.

A meeting was held with IOC Member Camiel Eurlings, with whom various topical issues were addressed.

The IOC President met with Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Bin Musaad, Executive Director of International Relations at the NOC of Saudi Arabia. The development of sport in Saudi Arabia and other issues of common interest, in particular women in sport, were addressed.

Walter Sieber, a member of the Olympic Programme Commission, met the IOC President to talk about the preparations for the forthcoming editions of the Olympic Games.

The Executive Committee of the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage met in the presence of President Bach and IOC Honorary President Jacques Rogge.

The President chaired a meeting of the IOC Executive Board which took the following decisions. Details here.

MembERs

HOC

On 1 October, Mario Pescante represented the IOC during an inspection visit of the Moria stadium on the Greek island of Lesbos. He was accompanied by Hellenic NOC President Spyros Capralos, Rio 2016 sailing medallists Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis and the Mayor of Lesbos, Spyros Galinos. The rebuilding of the local stadium was made possible in part thanks to the USD 2 million fund set up in 2015 by the IOC to encourage the NOCs, in collaboration with local partners already active in this area, to promote integration through sport and other activities, with a view to improving the lives of refugees. The aim is to promote relations and integration between locals and the refugees, thanks to the organisation of football matches, and to also leave a legacy to the people of Lesbos, who have seen hundreds of thousands of refugees transiting through their island over the past two years. Today, the Moria stadium is being used both by the local teams in Lesbos and in the context of sports programmes for refugees who live on the island. The delegation also visited the refugee camp Kara Tepe, which is managed by Lesbos Municipality, and gave out sports equipment (T-shirts, balls, etc.). Read the news here and more info at www.hoc.gr.

IOC / Arnaud Meylan

Paul Tergat was elected President of the Kenyan NOC during the NOC General Assembly held on 29 September. A former world record holder in the marathon and double Olympic silver medallist (10,000m), he succeeds IOC Honorary Member Kipchoge Keino, a double Olympic champion (1500 and 3000m).

IOC / Greg Martin

Jean-Christophe Rolland was unanimously re-elected as President of World Rowing (FISA) at its Ordinary Congress in Sarasota-Bradenton (USA). His new term runs for four years (see also the IFs section).

OTHER OLYMPIC NEWS

The IOC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Coalition for the Prevention of Illness and Injury in Sport, bringing to 10 the number of research centres from across the world that have been named as IOC Research Centres for the Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health. The US Coalition is a joint research venture between the University of Utah, the Steadman Philippon Research Institute and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC)’s Sports Medicine Division, which seeks to bring together highly experienced researchers from within each organisation in an interdisciplinary team to foster collaborative research in support of the IOC’s goals in the areas of injury prevention and athlete protection. Read the press release here.

Cities all over the world are invited to take part in the Global Active City Programme, a new initiative to promote health and physical activity. Already in place in 10 pilot cities, this programme, supported by the IOC, has proved successful in significantly improving the health of these cities’ inhabitants and increasing their participation in sports and physical activity. The programme was officially launched on 3 October in Montreal (Canada) by the Active Well-being Initiative (AWI), a non-governmental organisation based in Switzerland created as a partnership between the Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA) and Evaleo, an NGO specialised in developing and promoting well-being and sustainable health. Read the press release here.

international sportS fEDERations

SUMMER IFS

At its Ordinary Congress held in Sarasota-Bradenton (USA), World Rowing (FISA) approved the new World Championships Programme for senior, para rowing, under-23 and junior events. The programme now brings gender equality across all events. The awarding of future editions of competitions was also on the Congress programme. In addition, two national associations – Cambodia and Guinea – have joined FISA, which now has 153 affiliated federations. Full details here.

FIBA

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) recently celebrated its 85th anniversary in Geneva (Switzerland). A gala dinner brought together representatives from the FIBA headquarters, the five regions and its national member federations, as well as guests of honour (info here). As part of the festivities, seven people and, for the first time, a team were inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held at the FIBA headquarters in the outskirts of Geneva. Read the news here.

With one year to go until the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) spoke to some former YOG athletes, who gave their reflections on the Games. Read the news here.

UWW

The Japan Wrestling Federation hosted its first ever United World Wrestling (UWW) level 1 coaches course from 22 to 24 September. Coaches from the Republic of Korea and the People’s Republic of China also took part, including four-time Olympic champion Kaori Icho and Olympic champion Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu. The course proved to be a tremendous success. The content delivered allowed coaches to become more familiar with the UWW education approach. In addition, Vincent Aka, a Regional Development Officer, conducted an educational week of activities in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The week included a level 1 coaching course, training and a wrestling initiation competition. More info here.

The International Swimming Federation (FINA) announced on 27 September a significant prize money increase for the overall and cluster ranking of the FINA Swimming World Cup, which is currently underway and running until the end of November 2017.The FINA Executive has decided to raise the prize money distribution to the best athletes of the competition, which is divided into three clusters of two or three meets each. More info on www.fina.org

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) Science and Triathlon World Conference, which will be held from 5 to 8 December in Edmonton (Canada), will bring together the world’s top experts and researchers in endurance sport, who will focus on how to apply the latest science and research to best practices for coaching triathletes. The aim of the Conference is to answer questions on pacing and periodisation, talent identification, enhancing parent interaction, best practices for altitude training, and competing in heat and pollution. Info at www.triathlon.org.

FIVB

The organisers of the 2018 FIVB Men's World Championship have officially confirmed the venues for the competition, which is set to run from 10 to 30 September next year. For the first time, the flagship event of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) will be jointly hosted by two countries, Italy and Bulgaria. The countdown to the event kicked off in Rome's Palazzo Poli – the stunning backdrop of the Eternal City's famous Trevi Fountain. A press conference at the Palazzo Poli was attended by FIVB Vice-President Aleksandar Boricic, Italian Volleyball Federation President Pietro Bruno Cattaneo, Organising Committee President Carlo Salvatori, Italian Minister of Sports Luca Lotti and Italian NOC President Giovanni Malago. The Bulgarian side were represented by the President of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation, Dancho Lazarov, and the country's Minister of Sports, Krasen Kralev. Read the full news here.

Winter IFS

The Foundation for Global Sports Development (GSD) has given the World Curling Federation (WCF)’s Olympic Celebration Tour a boost ahead of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. For the 2017-18 season, GSD will invest $USD 50,000 in the programme. The two organisations have worked together to deliver this initiative – which sees Olympic medallists travel to developing member associations and curling clubs to help generate interest in the sport since 2013. Read the full news here.

FIS

The 15th edition of the International Ski Federation (FIS) Youth and Children’s Seminar on 4 October in Zurich (Switzerland) was the largest to date, with 137 attendees from 51 countries. This year’s seminar explored the topic of “Parenting in snow sports”. Among the speakers were Sarah Lewis, FIS Secretary General, who gave an insight into FIS activities and decisions relating to Youth and Children’s activities over the past months. She also highlighted some resources available for parents, including the WADA Parents’ Guide to Support Clean Sport. The audience members were able to ask more in-depth questions and gain a further insight into life as a parent and a snow sports coach. Read the full news here.

NationaL OlympiC COMMITTEES

Algerian NOC

On 27 September in Algiers, the Algerian NOC (COA) organised the national Women and Sport Forum, the general coordination of which was entrusted to Hassiba Boulmerka, Chair of the COA Women and Sport Commission. The themes addressed were: women and sport in international organisations and governance in Algeria; the promotion of women to positions of responsibility and their onboarding within executive bodies; retraining female athletes in sports professions; and social and professional integration. Those present included COA President Mustapha Berraf, IOC Honorary Member Mustapha Larfaoui, Olympic champions Hassiba Boulmerka, Nouria Benida Merah and Abderahmane Hammad, COA Ethics Commission Chair Abdelhamid Berchiche, former members of national teams, representatives of State institutions, academics and researchers. The Forum concluded with the issuing of recommendations.

Colombian NOC

On 4 October, an international Master’s in sports law, organised by the Colombian NOC and the Institute of Sport in Colombia (Coldeportes), got underway. The opening ceremony was attended by NOC President Baltazar Medina (photo); Coldeportes Director Clara Luz Roldán; Director General of the Master’s Andreu Camps; and Director of the Master’s in Colombia Lorena Novoa. The themes addressed over the four days were sports law in the international legal context; the legal status of athletes and others in sport (referees, agents); the legal system of sports organisations; and the disciplinary legal structure in sport. Read the news here.

NOC of Swaziland

The NOC of Swaziland has announced that, on 30 September and 1 October, 34 participant from various associations took part in a workshop organised at the Olympafrica centre. Under the theme “Clean Athlete Educators Training” this workshop taught the participants how to use the values and principles of sport when faced with dilemmas, and how to come up with wise decisions that will not affect the core purpose of sport, but maintain the welfare of the athlete, who is at the heart of sport. Info at www.socga.org.sz.

organisING COMMITTEES FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Tokyo 2020

The Organising Committee for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA). The agreement will allow the two entities to exchange know-how, helping Tokyo 2020 to benefit from JADA’s anti-doping experience to organise clean Games where athletes can compete on a level playing field, at the same time protecting and strengthening the integrity of sport. More info at www.tokyo2020.jp.

organisING COMMITTEES FOR THE Youth OLYMPIC GAMES

Buenos Aires 2018

Buenos Aires 2018

With one year to go to Buenos Aires 2018, the first celebrations have kicked off in the Argentinian capital, and athletes from around the globe have shared their enthusiastic video messages to mark the final countdown to the Youth Olympic Games, which will take place from 6 to 18 October 2018. IOC President also joined the campaign with his own message: “Only one year to go until the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018. We can’t wait to join you next year in this passionate sport city for a celebration of sport, youth and culture.” In Buenos Aires, the party got started to mark the final 12 months to the Games with a celebration at the infamous Obelisco landmark in the heart of the city – the location of the Opening Ceremony on 6 October next year. President of the Organising Committee and IOC Member Gerardo Werthein was joined by fellow IOC Member Li Lingwei, who chairs the IOC Coordination Commission, and Mayor of Buenos Aires Horacio Rodriguez Larreta. Olympic champions Pedro Ibarra, Cecilia Carranza and Santiago Lange were also in attendance. Read the full news here.

RECOGNISED Organisations

IPC

The Paralympic Order has been awarded to Ann Cody and Miguel Sagarra (photo), members of the Governing Board of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The Orders were presented during the IPC General Assembly in early September in Abu Dhabi (UAE). Ann Cody competed at three editions of the Paralympic Games (in wheelchair basketball and athletics). A member of the IPC Governing Board since 2005, she has served as a member of the IOC’s Women in Sport Commission and Chair of the IPC Education and Women in Sport Committees. Miguel Sagarra has been involved with the IPC for over 20 years. Secretary General of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, he was also a member of the IOC Coordination Commission for the Olympic Games Athens 2004 and the IOC Evaluation Commission for the Olympic Winter Games in 2014. Read the news here.
Philip Craven, the former IPC President, has received the Lui Che Woo Prize - Prize for World Civilisation - on behalf of the IPC. The IPC was honoured in the Positive Energy category, with the specific area of focus on “Promotion of Harmony among Diverse Groups” at a ceremony in Hong Kong on 3 October. Full details here.

The Fédération Internationale Cinema Télévision Sportifs (FICTS), in collaboration with Gruppo Lombardo Giornalisti Sportivi - USSI Lombardy and the Order of Journalists, is organising a training course for journalists entitled “The Olympic Games on small and big screen”. The course will be held at the Regional Lombardy NOC in Milan on 24 October 2017. The speakers will be: FICTS President Franco Ascani, who will speak about the emotions of sport through images; Marco Pastonesi, a journalist and writer, with a lesson on “Telling the sport”; Fabio Ravezzani, Telelombardia Director, with a lesson on “Top Football Experience”; and Claudio Arrigoni, a sports journalist, with a lesson on “From printed paper to television and vice versa”.